Jennifer Ambrose
Hanson CTC Assistant Director
Real-World Writing:
A Proposal to the GFE
This writing assignment will prepare you to:

Write a short but convincing proposal to
an organization that funds engineering
education projects.

Describe basic engineering principles for
a general audience.

Work collaboratively as a team.
Who Do We Write to
and Why? (1)
To learn first-hand about how common structures
(bridges, skyscrapers, domes, barns, transmission
towers, construction cranes, the human body, etc.)
are built and stay upright, you and your writing
partner will plan to visit an historically significant
structure or institution located anywhere in the
world.
Spring 14 List of Banned
Structures








Gateway Arch
Bird’s Nest Stadium
Atomium
Millau Viaduct
London Eye
Burj Al Arab (in Dubai)
Space Needle
Tower of Pisa
Who Do We Write to
and Why? (2)
To fund your trip, you must submit—


a one-page letter of intent
and a four-to-six page proposal
to an organization called Grants for Furthering
Education, or GFE.
You Must Convince Your
Audience That…
Your trip will enhance your knowledge of statics
and contribute to your growth as engineers.
You have conducted preliminary research about
the structure in question, and have a plausible plan
of action that makes your on-site visit worth
funding.
You Must Convince Your
Audience That… (2)
The decision makers at GFE include engineers but
also people unfamiliar with statics or engineering
principles, so you will need to make your case not
with equations but with persuasive arguments,
precise physical descriptions, and clearly defined
terms.
First, the Letter of Intent
This one-page formal letter should clearly state that
you plan to submit a proposal in response to the
GFE’s request. The letter should answer these
questions—
●
What structure do you propose to visit? The GFE is looking
for imaginative and unorthodox choices.
●
Why? (Describe in brief why your subject merits further
study—from the perspective of students learning to analyze
structures in equilibrium). You might also mention its
historical/cultural significance.
●
What sources do you plan to use?
(Cite no less than two sources. Use APA style for in-text
citation.)
Then Write the Proposal

Executive Summary—A single paragraph overview of the proposal.
Note: this appears first but is written last—think of it as the entire
proposal reduced to one paragraph.

Introduction—Introduce yourselves as engineering students and
state your objectives.

Background—Provide a brief account of the historical and cultural
significance of the structure.

Technical Analysis (your proposal’s center of gravity)—Concisely
analyze and describe your chosen structure and its relevance to the
study of statics (consider using a free-body diagram).

Itinerary and Cost Estimate—Propose a schedule of events and
provide a concise table for trip expenses (airfare, lodging, food, etc.).
Always total your costs.

Conclusion—Summarize the merits of your concept; ask your
audience to grant your request for funding.
Keys to a Successful Proposal

Your readers at the GFE admire clear, straightforward language. In most cases, use the active
voice (“ We recommend…,” “The cables lift the
deck of the bridge, causing a downward force…”).

Stay true to your objective: emphasize the
educational value of your proposed site visit.

Visit the HCTC—strong proposals always show
evidence of critical feedback and revision.
Using APA: sample of
in-text and Reference List citations
In-text:
Such a bridge is said to be in equilibrium, meaning
that the net result of the forces and moments acting
on the structure are equal to zero (Meriam and
Kraige, 2007).
Reference list:
Meriam and Kraige (2007). Engineering Mechanics:
Statics, 6th Edition. John Wiley & Sons.
How to Get 15 Free Points!
 Turn in the Letter of Intent to HCTC (2224) on time.
(5 points)
 Turn in the First Draft to HCTC (2224) on time.
(5 points)
 Sign up for a writing appointment at the Hanson Center
between Feb. 5 and April 30, 2014.
(5 points)
Schedule and Deadlines
Thurs., Feb. 27
Letter of Intent due to the HCTC, Rm. 2224, by 4:00 p.m.
Week of Mar. 3
Letter of Intent returned during discussion sections
Feb. 5 to April 30
Schedule an appointment with the HCTC.
Note: You receive 5 points if you schedule an appt. as a team
no later than April 30, 2014.
Thurs., April 3
First draft of Proposal due to HCTC by 4:00 p.m.
(submit folder and your Letter of Intent and grader’s comments).
Week of April 3
First draft returned during discussion sections
Thurs., May 1
** The final Proposal must be submitted in two forms:
(1) A hard copy directly to the HCTC by 4:00 p.m. in your folder
(2) An electronic copy mailed to:
askctc@engineering.uiowa.edu
Week of May 12
Final papers and folders returned during final exam week.
Questions?
You can find the assignment, evaluation sheet, discussion
of plagiarism, and other useful stuff on the Center’s web site at
http://www.engineering.uiowa.edu/ess/current-students/academicsupport/hanson-center-technical-communication.
Hanson CTC hours:
Monday-Friday,1:00 – 4:30 p.m.
Sunday, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Location: 2224 SC
(in the Student Commons area)
Scheduling: Appointment sign-up sheet
posted on window outside door of 2224 SC.
Thank You